Lex Chinese Food

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. May 8, 2025 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical8 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

     Inspector’s note: Observed time/temperature control, tcs, foods (cooked pork, chicken and chicken egg rolls) without labels in walk in cooler. Instructed to provide discard or use by date on labels. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored in walk-in freezer uncovered. Instructed to provided food grade lids and/or coverings to prevent contamination.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper storage of wiping cloth at 3-compartment sink in the front line area. Instructed to store properly between usage.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed milk crates being used as shelving in walk in cooler. Instructed to remove and provide shelving that is 6" from the floor.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed an accumulation of food debris/dirt on top of food containers on shelving units in the food prep area. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed drainpipe leaking under 3 compartment sink at the front line/cashier area. Instructed to repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed missing trash can cover in the 2 public washrooms. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper storage of mop in the utility closet. Instructed to store properly as not to attract pests.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed dirty vents in the food prep area and in the public washrooms. Instructed to clean.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

2. May 8, 2025 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

3. Sep 19, 2024 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(c): the following not clean excessive accumulation of food debris, grease: entire wok line; including attached piping and drip trays, interior cabinets and exterior sides of fryers, all prep tables, steam table, all sink basins, exterior surface of walk in cooler behind prep table, all storage shelves and storage containers. Instd to clean all and maintain clean.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.12: floor under and behind entire cooking line not clean, heavy grease/debris accumulation. Instd to clean floor and maintain

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

4. Sep 12, 2024 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   4 general Show violations

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Over 50 mice droppings noted on floor surrounding furnace. Instd to remove droppings, clean and sanitize affected areas. Instd to contact pest control company for service. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Knives improperly stored inbetween prep table and walk in cooler. Instd to store knives properly

     Official wording (code 43)

     In-use utensils: properly stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: The following not clean excessive accumulation of food debris, grease: entire wok line; including attached piping and drip trays, interior cabinets and exterior sides of fryers, all prep tables, steam table, all sink basins, exterior surface of walk in cooler behind prep table, all storage shelves and storage containers. Instd to clean all and maintain clean.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Floor under and behind entire cooking line not clean, heavy grease/debris accumulation. Instd to clean floor and maintain

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

5. Oct 25, 2023 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: 5-501.17 observed no covered receptacle for proper disposal of sanitary napkins in all-gender washroom. Instructed to provide covered waste receptacle.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.14- observed the ventilation hood and filters above the cooking equipment and all hvac vents on premises are in need of cleaning. Instructed to detail clean and maintain at all times.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

6. Oct 18, 2023 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 critical7 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food held at improper internal temperature in the walk in cooler, such as 10lbs of chicken at 50.1f. Manager discarded and denatured a total 10lbs at $100. All cold food must maintain 41f or below. Priority violation. Citation issued 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed evidence of rodent activity on the premises. Observed approximately 60 mouse droppings on the floor of the rear storage area near back door and in rear restroom. Management instructed to clean and remove all rodent droppings from all affected areas. Additional pest control service is recommended to eliminate the pest activity. Priority foundation #7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed 3-compartment sink stoppers missing/not working at left side and middle compartments. Instructed manager must provide working stoppers at 3-compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed water backing up at the 3 compartment sink area. When water is released from 2nd sink basin, water backs up into 1st and 3rd sink basins. Instructed manager to repair before re-inspection date. Priority foundation violation #7-38-025. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle for proper disposal of sanitary napkins in all-gender washroom. Instructed to provide covered waste receptacle.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed peeling paint on the ceiling in the kitchen on both sides of the ventilation hood. Instructed to resurface and repaint areas to ensure walls are sealed, smooth and easily cleanable.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed grease buildup, food debris, and dirt on floor under cooking equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, dish washing, and storage area. Instructed manager to clean floors under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in all areas.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the ventilation hood and filters above the cooking equipment and all hvac vents on premises are in need of cleaning. Instructed to detail clean and maintain at all times.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no certified food manager with allergen training. Instructed any persons with the city of chicago food sanitation certificate to comply with completion of training. Must provide documentation.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

7. Sep 1, 2022 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   8 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Observed bulk containers not labeled in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to label all bulk containers with common name of food.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to elevate all food items six inches off floor.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers without hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables and faucet of 3-compartment and splashguard on hand washing sink. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed milk crates used as shelving in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to provide adequate storage shelving for easy cleaning and pest control.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease, food debris and spills on interior and exterior surfaces of bulk containers, fryer cabinets, wok station, steam table, prep table, rolling carts, shelving units, coolers, and freezers. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed self-closing device in poor repair on rear washroom door. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed dust buildup, food debris and spills on floors, walls and ceilings in prep, dish washing and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

8. Aug 23, 2022 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 critical10 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed over two dozen raw eggs (57.2f) and pooled eggs (83.5f) stored at improper temperature on prep table. Instructed manager to discard. All cold tcs food must maintain 41f or below during storage, preparation, display and service. Priority 7-38-005 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Observed bulk containers not labeled in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to label all bulk containers with common name of food.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed over 100 mice droppings scattered on bottom of prep tables, steam table, rolling carts, shelving units, on floor along walls and corners behind cooking equipment, 3-compartment sink, water heater and utility sink in prep, storage and front counter areas. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to elevate all food items six inches off floor.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers without hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables and faucet of 3-compartment and splashguard on hand washing sink. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed milk crates used as shelving in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to provide adequate storage shelving for easy cleaning and pest control.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease, food debris and spills on interior and exterior surfaces of bulk containers, fryer cabinets, wok station, steam table, prep table, rolling carts, shelving units, coolers, and freezers. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed self-closing device in poor repair on rear washroom door. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed dust buildup, food debris and spills on floors, walls and ceilings in prep, dish washing and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from report #2528642 on 8-26-21:10-observed no hand washing signage at handsink in rear near cooking equipment. Instructed manager to provide and maintain. 57-observed no food handlers certificates on sie. Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirement. Priority foundation 7-42-090 citation issued

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

9. Aug 26, 2021 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   3 critical3 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing signage at handsink in rear near cooking equipment. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed half dozen eggs at improper temperature. Temperature of raw egg was 94.7f. Manager discarded and denatured eggs. Priority violation.7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

     Inspector’s note: Observed cooked chicken and crab rangoon without any discard dates.instructed manager that all tcs foods held for 24 hours must be properly date marked with the date the food will be sold, discarded or consumed. Manager discarded 30lbs at $200. Priority foundation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed a male employee in kitchen, preparing food with no hair restraint. Instructed manager to have all employees working in kitchen to wear a hair restraint.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease and food debris on exterior surfaces of cooking equipment. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease on ventilation hood filters. Instructed manager to detail clean and maintain..

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no food handlers certificates on site. Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirement.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

10. Jul 8, 2020 Pass

    License Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general Show violations

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: 5-203.13: no utility sink on site. Instd to provide same with hot/cold running water under city pressure

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

11. Jun 30, 2020 Fail

    License · Fail

    3 critical Show violations

    • CriticalManagement & training

      Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

      Inspector’s note: No employee health policy in place. Instd to provide a verifiable employee acknowledged health policy and maintain. Priority foundation. 7-38-010

      Official wording (code 3)

      Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

    • CriticalManagement & training

      No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

      Inspector’s note: No procedure in place for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instd to provide procedure and necessary supplies effective against norovirus. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

      Inspector’s note: No handwash sink in front prep area where 3-compartment sink also located. Instd to provide under city pressure with hot water 100f-120f. Priority foundation 7-38-030(c)

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible